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BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Tuesday if teenage star Lamine Yamal is to improve he must focus on improving his work rate, ahead of the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
The holders visit Barcelona on Wednesday and 18-year-old winger Yamal is keen to shine after finishing as runner-up at the Ballon d’Or gala last week, behind PSG’s Ousmane Dembele.
Yamal returned from a groin injury on Sunday against Real Sociedad in La Liga and provided an assist a minute after coming off the bench during a bright second-half cameo.
“(Calling him) super, super, super... I don’t like this... he’s 18 years old and for me he also has to focus on working hard,” Flick told reporters.
“It’s not always easy, with talent you can get to this point, but to reach the next level, one or two steps more — and I think he’s able to do that — he has to work hard.”
Last season Barcelona won a domestic treble of La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup, but fell just short in the Champions League, beaten in the semifinals by Inter Milan despite two sensational displays by Yamal.
Against Luis Enrique’s attacking PSG side Flick demanded Yamal and his team-mates knuckle down when the French champions are in possession.
“It’s not only about playing with the ball, it’s also defending,” continued Flick.
“This is what we need from every player — even a great player with the ball like him — and this makes the difference.”
Flick said to beat PSG his team had to concentrate from “the first second to the end of the match” and play at their highest level.

- Rashford has ‘arrived’ -

The coach also praised Marcus Rashford, who has established himself on the left flank for Barca.
With Raphinha out injured, Rashford is set to start against PSG. The forward, on loan from Manchester United, netted twice in Barcelona’s opening Champions League win at Newcastle.
“Everyone can see it in the last games, the Newcastle match gives him a lot of confidence and now he’s here, he’s now arrived in Barcelona,” said Flick.
“This is not always easy, to come to La Liga... with different opponents, a different style of how we play football, he’s adapted (well).”
PSG will be without first-choice attackers Dembele, formerly a Barca player, Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, among other missing stars.
Barca midfielder Pedri said he considered his team favorites to win the game.
“PSG are one of the best teams in the world, and we are the best — or at least that’s how I see it,” he told reporters.
The French side beat Barca 4-1 the last time the teams met, in the 2024 quarter-finals, after Barca defender Ronald Araujo was sent off. PSG progressed 6-4 on aggregate.
“Every Barca fan knows that we were close to going through two seasons ago,” said Pedri.
“There’s always revenge in football and that’s what we want — it’s the kind of game that’s most enjoyable.”

RIYADH: The DP World International League T20 has joined forces with the ������Ƶn Cricket Federation in a landmark agreement aimed at accelerating the growth of cricket in the Kingdom and Gulf region.

Under the partnership, announced in Dubai on Tuesday, the SACF officially licensed the DP World ILT20 as a recognized Twenty20 league for both men and women. The move paves the way for ILT20 matches to be staged in ������Ƶ, while also creating new development pathways for the Kingdom’s cricketers.

The collaboration will see the ILT20 work closely with SACF and its commercial arm, the Cricket Investment Company, to nurture local talent, enhance infrastructure and build stronger engagement with cricket fans in the Kingdom.

Significantly, Saudi players will now have a direct entry point into the competition. Each franchise in the upcoming ILT20 Season 4 Player Auction, scheduled for Oct. 1, will have to sign at least one Saudi player.

“We are very proud to announce our partnership with the ������Ƶn Cricket Federation. ������Ƶ is a key part of the Gulf region, and its commitment to developing cricket is inspiring,” said Khalid Al-Zarooni, chairman of the ILT20.

“This partnership is built on our shared vision of growing the game beyond borders. The DP World ILT20 will create opportunities for players and hopefully bring world-class cricket closer to the fans.”

Prince Saud bin Mishal Al-Saud, SACF chairman, said the agreement aligned with the Kingdom’s ambitions under Vision 2030 to expand sporting opportunities and community engagement.

“This collaboration reflects our commitment to developing cricket in the country and providing our players with opportunities to grow and succeed on an international stage,” he said.

“It also provides a platform for fan engagement and opens further avenues for developing the game across infrastructure and tourism.”

David White, ILT20 CEO, described the partnership as a “significant step” in strengthening the game across the region.

“With ������Ƶ’s dynamic growth in sport and entertainment, this partnership provides a tremendous opportunity for Saudi cricketers to develop,” he said.

“In the coming years we will be hosting DP World ILT20 tournament matches in ������Ƶ. From next year, a development tournament will also be staged there, which will provide an excellent opportunity to the local talent to make a claim for the main event. The league will also help ������Ƶ in cricketing infrastructure development.”

Season 4 of the DP World ILT20 will kick off on Dec. 2, with six teams competing across 34 matches before the final on Jan. 4, 2026.